Vietnam Family Vacation 16 Days

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Your private guide and driver will be waiting for you and your family at Hanoi International Airport with a sign bearing your names, and will transport you directly to your Old Quarter hotel.

You will have time to unwind and acclimate to the speed of Hanoi following check-in. This evening, there will be a quick tour orientation followed by a welcome supper at Cha Ca Thang Long restaurant, Cha Ca La Vong is a wonderful and classic Hanoi dish. On a bed of aromatic green scallions and dill, chunks of tasty fish are served, creating a unique dining experience.

Please note: Your travel documents contain a Visa-on-Arrival letter (unless otherwise arranged). Please bring this item in your carry-on baggage. You must produce your Visa-on-Arrival letter to Customs when entering the country.

Morning

After your breakfast at the hotel. You will be greeted by our guide and driver in the lobby of your hotel and talk about a safety briefing before we embark on our journey!

The first half of our Hanoi Vespa Tour exposes you to the REAL HANOI during a day in the life of a local, taking you through the maze of backstreets, tiny alleys, local homes, schools, odd markets, and the black market, where you will see how the locals live, work, and play. Other travel agencies only show you the good and encourage you to avoid the bad and strange aspects of your destinations. On Hanoi trip excursions, not only do we reveal the positive aspects of your places, but we also expose the negative and bizarre aspects. For us, common tourist spots are merely the tip of the iceberg; the vast majority of your destinations remain undiscovered.

The second part of our Hanoi Vespa Tour, we pass by and stop at the MUST-SEE places of our beautiful city, such as Ho Chi Minh mausoleum-the Mecca of Vietnamese, The thousand-year-old Buddhist and Taoist temples of Tran Quoc, temple of Literature, the historical training track, the enchanting French Quarter, The hustling and bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem, West lake, Hanoi Opera House; famous Long

On the final leg of our Hanoi Vespa Tour, you will stop at various ORIGINAL restaurants, cafes, and food stalls. So that you can enjoy the most delectable of Hanoi's delicious cuisine, including family heirlooms and secret recipe dishes, local delicacies, and specialties.

Afternoon

You have the rest of the day at your leisure. Relax and enjoy the hotel's amenities, or take another stroll around the Old Quarter's hidden alleys.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast is the best way to start the day, so make it enjoyable and nutritious. Your tour guide will then pick you up from your accommodation in the Hanoi Old Quarter at 8:00 am to take you to Quang Ninh province and Halong Bay. Take 15 to 20 minutes to relax before getting ready for one of your life's greatest adventures.

At 12:30, we will arrive at the harbor, where you can board the boat and begin your voyage with our amiable, knowledgeable, and skilled crew.

The lunch will be served to you as the boat travels on to our destination, passing by an almost unlimited number of islands and islets. Unquestionably a genuinely wonderful encounter.

You can head to the upper deck after your excellent meal to take in Halong Bay's grandeur in all of its natural, pure, magical, and beautiful manifestations.

Are you all set to join the activity? Let's kayak for an hour around the region of the floating community. If you don't like kayaking, don't worry, you can also swim.

When the time is up, you'll head back to the boat for a fun sundown party on the sundeck. Here, you may mingle with other tourists while listening to relaxing music and taking in the breathtaking splendor of Halong Bay.

Yes, this day has been great. There is no better way to cap it off than by indulging in a sumptuous dinner prepared by our chef. After that, you are free to do whatever you wish with your time, such as sing or just unwind.

Overnight on Halong Bay

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

With a light breakfast of crisp toast, flavorful eggs, and a cup of enticing coffee or tea, you can start your day off right. When you're finished, you'll be prepared to embark on the day's main adventure: exploring the Cave.

Because it is the most stunning and alluring cave in Halong Bay, it is a remarkable destination. Your knowledgeable tour guide will talk you everything there is to know about it.

After then, the boat will continue crashing into numerous islands and islets, giving you a good perspective of Halong Bay's breathtaking splendor. Vietnam is the only country in the world where such a site exists!

Do you want to attend a cooking class? One of the regional specialties, delectable deep-fried spring rolls, will be one of the recipes you learn to make from our chef. You must do it to really appreciate it!

Later, as you have a delicious lunch, we'll cruise back to the pier. After that, it will be time to disembark and bid the boat crew farewell.

We'll bus you to Hanoi. The bus will drop you off at your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Early in the morning, depart Hanoi for the approximately four-hour drive to Mai Chau, around 150 kilometers southwest of Hanoi. After Hoa Binh Town, the road winds through mountains, fertile valleys, and traditional villages within one hour of Hanoi.

Arrive in the scenic Mai Chau Valley, which is bordered by karst rocks and rice terraces. Spend the day exploring the gorgeous natural surroundings after lunch. Begin the excursion with a two-hour hike or stroll through one or more towns in the Mai Chau Valley.

This evening, experience a performance of traditional Thai music and dancing. This region has been inhabited by Thais for generations, and much of their culture and traditions have remained untouched.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast while surrounded by the serene beauty of a mountain.

Transfer to Puluong across a mountain pass with panoramic views of the entire valley and a wonderful drive. Followed by unrestricted opportunity to explore the enchanting retreat's spectacular views and calm environment. The Pu Luong Retreat will provide lunch.

Then, cross a suspension bridge over the Cham River and start an easy 3- to 5-kilometer journey in search of beautiful water wheels. Discover how water is transported from rivers to homemade bamboo aqueducts using simple constructs of varying sizes.

Return transfer to Pu Luong Retreat for dinner.

Overnight in Pu Luong

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Morning

Leave Pu Luong's verdant farms behind and travel to Ninh Binh's stunning mountain beauty. Ninh Binh is only three hours from Pu Luong and offers magnificent limestone karst landscapes similar to those found in the more popular Halong Bay.

First, let's visit the Hoa Lu area, which is known for its extensive cultural heritage. Visit the Hoa Lu old capital, a pivotal site in the history of Viet Nam. The history of Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, the country's initial capital, is detailed here. Learn about the extraordinary and one-of-a-kind architecture that can be found in some of the most well-known temples built by King Dinh and King Le, who both made significant contributions to the development of old land.

The lunch will be served at the local restaurant.

Afternoon

Take a boat excursion from the Trang An dock to have a memorable and enjoyable experience while in Ninh Binh. Trang An eco-tourism complex is the Unesco World Heritage site on your itinerary. This is a must-do activity during your time here. Being on your rowing bamboo boat, you will get the opportunity to explore various grottos filled with stunning stalactites and take in the breathtaking scenery of the Trang An Tour.

Take your time on a leisurely bike ride across the area, and as you ride through the backroads, you will see limestone karsts and beautiful vistas countryside. Our tour guide will introduce to you the local life. Arrive at Mua Cave Mountain, where a short hike leads to a spectacular overlook with a breathtaking view of the Ngo Dong River below, which winds around the high mountains. The view from the overlook is breathtaking.

Transfer to the boutique resort in Tam Coc for an overnight stay. Tam Coc is a sanctuary that allows you to escape the bustle of the city in the midst of some of the world's most breathtaking surroundings.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

After breakfast and check-out, you will be transferred to the Ninh Binh Railway station to board the day train to Hue. The 12-hours train journey will be spent in a comfortable sleeper cabin with air conditioning and four beds (bunk beds). You will encounter breathtaking scenery throughout the trip, particularly when crossing Vietnam's former DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).

Evening

Your private guide and driver will meet you at the train station exit and bring you to your downtown hotel upon arrival in Hue.

Overnight in Hue

Meal: Breakfast

Morning

The guide will come to your hotel to pick you up. You will go on a one-day tour of Hue to learn more about this beautiful city. Take a dragon boat to the first place, Thien Mu pagoda (Heaven Fairy Lady Pagoda), which is the oldest pagoda in Hue city. The morning boat ride to the pagoda will be a great way to start the trip. The Perfume River's fresh air will make you feel very good. Visit The Citadel. The Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam's last royal family, lived in Imperial City. After the Citadel, our car will take you to the Dong Ba market, which is Hue's busiest and has a lot of different foods and goods. You can see how people in the area buy and sell things here. This is also a chance to buy gifts for your family and friends. We ate lunch at a nearby restaurant that served food from Asia and Vietnam.

Afternoon

Visit Khai Dinh Tomb, which is a mix of Western and Eastern architecture. A quick trip to the Minh Mang Tomb, which is thought to be the most beautiful of all the Royal Tombs. It is known for its architecture, which fits in well with the natural environment. After a great day, the driver will take you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue

Meal: Breakfast, lunch

Morning

After breakfast at the hotel. Let’s check out of the room and get a private car to move to Hoi An Old Town. Check in your hotel.

Afternoon

Your tour guide will transport you to the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An, where you will go on a walking tour of the principal monuments, including Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and Japanese Covered Bridge.

Continue to see the Precious Heritage Museum, where Réhahn's Precious Heritage Collection is on permanent display. The collection will transport you to the most remote regions of Vietnam while revealing the rich cultural tapestry of the ethnic communities.

The highlight of the day is a visit to the Reaching Out Tea House, a delightful oasis of peace in the bustling, dynamic Old Town that is owned and maintained by deaf and mute individuals. Here, you will be served delectable Eastern-style pastries and tea of the highest quality.

Proceed to the home of the lantern maker. There, you may see the lantern craftsman's technique before engaging in hands-on labor through each stage of lantern-making under the direction of enthusiastic craftsmen: from bending the frame, cutting the fabric, and gluing the lanterns to completing them. Before the conclusion of this journey, you will have crafted your own lantern.

Now is the time for your discovery trip of Hoi An's street food. With your guide, you will navigate the narrow alleyways and dine with locals at stalls you would never find on your own. Every day at 4 p.m., the streets of Hoi An are flooded with food carts, kiosks, and sellers. The street food tour is an excellent opportunity to sample some of the Hoi An specialties prepared by locals, meet the people behind the stock pots, and see how Hoi An natives handle those condiment trays!

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal: Breakfast, street food tour

Throw away your Hoi A trip to the paddy fields on a bicycle, observing the rural sceneries of farmers caring for their crops and water buffalo plowing the fields. Along the trip, you will encounter the hospitality of the locals who will greet you. The photographic possibilities are limitless.

You begin your journey at the Tra Que Vegetable Village, where you participate in the farming segment. This organic vegetable and herb farm is exquisitely presented, and it serves a significant portion of Hoi An with fresh vegetables. Here, you will discover traditional techniques for cultivating the soil, planting, and watering veggies. Certainly, you will have the opportunity for some hands-on enjoyment.

To reach your next destination from Tra Que Village, you paddle along palm-lined lanes through rice fields, passing flocks of ducks scrambling up muddy banks and water buffalo dozing in the shade. Here, you will ride a water buffalo across a rice paddy field while taking in the countryside's purest air.

After experiencing the farming lifestyle, you will board a wooden boat and go to the river's mouth, where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. Commence the fishing segment of the tour. You will first learn how to paddle bamboo basket boats and ride them around the remote waterways before meeting some local fishermen who will teach you some traditional net fishing skills. You may not be particularly skilled, but it is still enjoyable to try.

Your tour concludes with a delicious Vietnamese lunch on board the boat, prepared by your friendly crew, who also entertain you and your children by creating elaborate palm frond masterpieces.

Return to your hotel, where you have the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning

Enjoy your time in Hoian Old Town. Let’s walk the ancient streets of Hoi An, lined with Chinese traders’ homes and wooden houses reincarnated as restaurants, cafés, and outlets for local artists, craftsmen, and tailors.

Afternoon

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh previously known as Saigon. The drive will pick you up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. And this is free time to explore Ho Chi Minh in your way.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast

Morning

After breakfast, you will be greeted by your guide and driven to Cu Chi, a small village located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City known for its network of subterranean tunnels that served as a safe haven and successful infiltration route for the Viet Cong during the closing stages of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, you will view a brief instructional movie before visiting the tunnels, the most renowned battlegrounds of the period. It is thought that the concealed network of Viet Cong tunnels spanned "hundreds of miles" in total length and contained living quarters, storage areas, temporary hospitals, kitchens, etc. Although the system was initially somewhat narrow, some sections have been enlarged for tourists, and you have the option to explore them.

Please note that these tunnels will be hot and claustrophobic, so if you want to watch from above ground, that is an option.

Cassava, the staple diet of the Viet Cong soldiers, is served alongside a tart tea. After exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, return to the city with lunch at the local restaurant en way.

Afternoon

Spend the remainder of the day touring Ho Chi Minh City's major attractions. The Notre Dame Cathedral, the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House, the historic Rex Hotel, the Central Post Office, renowned for its architecture, and Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste, are particularly recommended.

Later, visit the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum for a somber and enlightening look at Vietnam's military history and violent past.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning

After breakfast, your guide and driver will bring you to Ben Tre Town in the Mekong Delta, which is renowned for its expansive rice fields, numerous rivers, and magnificent sceneries. This region, known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam, provides the majority of the country's fruit, rice, sugar cane, and coconuts.

After a two-hour journey through verdant farmland, you will arrive in Ben Tre, where you will go on a motorized boat tour through the coconut forest's small channels. During the boat voyage, you will stop at local cottage enterprises to observe how the craft has been passed down through the centuries.

Take a stroll through the village lanes, stopping at local homes to sample fresh fruits and honey tea while hearing a Tai Tu music performance. Continue to another workshop where coconut candies and a variety of coconut husk and fiber products are manufactured by hand.

Take a small sampan through palm-fringed back canals, sailing calmly over secluded rivers surrounded by a vast array of tropical vegetation. The tranquil, rural location is a refreshing and therapeutic escape from the frantic bustle of HCM City, which appears to be in the distance.

Enjoy meeting locals while riding at the back of a Motor Cart (xe lôi) around rural hamlets, rice fields, coconut trees, and luscious orchard farms.

Afternoon

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will return to Ben Tre town and continue driving through the Mekong's fields and towns to Can Tho city, stopping if time allowed at the Vinh Trang Pagoda.

Evening

Spend the night how you please. Explore the Can Tho night market on your own and sample the local cuisine. The market streets are filled with dozens of lively food vendors serving grilled meats and tofu on skewers, as well as grilled rice-paper...etc.

Overnight in Can Tho

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Let's get up early to explore a unique market. The Cai Rang floating market is the largest wholesale floating market in the Mekong region. Hundreds of small boats speed through the water as vendors peddle their items at the market. Float through the network of boats to observe how the locals trade fruits and vegetables and to learn more about the floating marketing culture and boat life. Following that, you will be served a delicious local breakfast (rice noodle soup) on the boat, just as the locals do. You will also get the opportunity to stop at a local boat to sample some of the season's luscious fruit.

Upon leaving the market, continue your boat ride along tiny canals to a traditional rice noodle factory where you can observe how the locals create rice noodles and have a "rice noodle pizza" made from scratch.

The lunch will be served at the local restaurant then return to Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and you to the airport, where you catch your flight home or to your next destination; we will assist you with the planning.